Our verdict
- the Rocket X from Hoka One One Hoka One One Bondi-L bevelled heel sneakers
Pros
- Womens HOKA Rincon 3 Running
- Hoka X Bodega Ora Slide in Martini Olive Jet Black
- Runs and feels light
- Hoka one one zapatillas hoka one one clifton 8 47 1 3 5750 goblin blue mountain spring
- Bodega x Hoka Kaha Low GTX
- Absorbs impact
- Awesome fit
- Welcomes wide feet
- Reflective
- Hoka One Arahi 5 Zapatillas de correr para hombre
Cons
- Really lacks outsole durability
- zapatillas de running HOKA talla 49.5 rosas
Audience verdict
- Беговые кроссовки кросовки мокасины hoka р road running shoes
- Top 18% in Hoka running shoes
- Tecnologias Hoka one one Torrent 2 Trail Running Schuhe
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
Who should buy
The HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White is one of the top-pick options if you're looking for:
- a road running shoe that's lively and enjoyable for fast and easy runs
- a lightweight yet cushioned trainer that can go the distance
- an excellent value for money ($20 cheaper than the average price of speed trainers)
This Hoka shoe is an amazing all-rounder: responsive for fast days, cushioned for long runs, and comfortable enough for easy days and walks.
Who should NOT buy
Although it's a well-loved shoe, the Mach 5 also has its share of flaws. The biggest one is the lack of rubber outsole which leads to both a lack of durability and grip on wet pavement.
zapatillas de running HOKA asfalto amortiguación media constitución ligera ritmo medio mens hoka one one zinal and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. Both are similar in performance to the Mach 5 but come with a protective rubber layer at the bottom.
And if you want to stick to Hoka, we encourage you to check out the top-tier Hoka Mach X.
Breathability
Taking the HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White through our smoke breathability test, we can claim that it's got a slightly above-average level of ventilation in the upper. It is not the most ventilated one, but Carbon for moderate temperatures.
You can also see that the toebox and tongue parts of the shoe's fabric are on the transparent side.
Mach 5 | 4 |
Average | 3.8 |
hoka mafate speed 3 chaussures de trail pour femmes en dazzling blueatlantis 1113531 dbat | Durability
Outsole hardness
There is no rubber outsole on the HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White. Technically, the shoe uses a layer of rubberized foam as a substitute for the rubber outsole. So, we ended up measuring the firmness of this bottom compound.
No wonder our durometer showed such a low number!
At 57.0 HC, this Hoka shoe's bottom is 40% softer than average! And that's pretty dangerous for the shoe's long-term durability as softer materials wear out much faster on the harsh pavement.
Thus, we cannot expect more than 300 miles from this trainer.
Mach 5 | 57.0 HC |
Average | 80.3 HC |
Weight
The fact that the Mach 5 is well-cushioned doesn't seem to affect its lightness. In fact, it is even a little lighter than the average speed trainer in a men's US size 9.
HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White | Average |
7.9 oz (225g) | 8.3 oz (236g) |
Lighter weight paired with the shoe's snappy ride is a fabulous combination!
Mach 5 | 7.94 oz (225g) |
Average | 9.35 oz (265g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
Running in the Mach 5, our feet felt quite pampered and well-protected from impact. Even though it's not a max-cushioned shoe, it certainly delivered enough cushioning to make us forget about hard heel landings.
Using a caliper, we measured heel thickness at 30.7 mm. It's not enough to make it a max-cushioned shoe but is close to the average of running shoes.
Mach 5 | 30.7 mm |
Average | 33.5 mm |
Forefoot stack
Measuring the forefoot stack, our caliper showed 25.0 mm. This is about the same as the average road shoe.
Mach 5 | 25.0 mm |
Average | 24.9 mm |
Drop
Checking the heel-to-toe drop of the shoe, it appears to be close to the brand's official statement (which is 5 mm). Based on our own stack measurements, we found it to be 5.7 mm.
Mach 5 | 5.7 mm |
Average | 8.7 mm |
Insole thickness
The Mach 5 features a pretty standard, moderately padded insole. Measuring its heel thickness, we got 4.2 mm - the same as the average.
Mach 5 | 4.2 mm |
Average | 4.4 mm |
Midsole softness
We noticed that the Mach 5 is softer than its predecessor, which also made it homier to the foot. But it's not so soft that it compromises stability.
This proves to be true in our durometer measurements. Showing 15.0 HA in the midsole, the shoe got 29% softer compared to the Mach 4, which also puts it among the softest running shoes on the market. The HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White is 60% plusher than the average!
This speed trainer from Hoka also uses a little trick to make its ride feel extra soft. Instead of having a hard rubber outsole, it features a firm rubberized EVA foam as a secondary cushioning layer. It is more durable than the primary ProFly+ but is not as hard as a typical rubber outsole.
In terms of softness, that made us feel as if we were landing directly on exposed foam.
Mach 5 | 15.0 HA |
Average | 21.3 HA |
zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE talla 35.5 más de 100
But if you're planning to expose this Hoka shoe to cold temperatures, be prepared that the ProFly+ foam gets considerably denser.
Running on chilly days, the shoe might Parfait some breaking in. In our freezer test, the Mach 5 got 60% firmer compared to room temperature.
Mach 5 | 60% |
Average | 25.8% |
Ride
The Mach 5 feels amazingly energetic! It even made us run at a faster pace than we initially intended!
There is a welcome bit of bounce but nothing extra.
Hoka One One Kawana zapatillas de running mujer naranja 38 2 3!
The shoe's midsole is slightly rockered. It features what the brand calls "meta-rocker geometry" which makes each step feel buttery smooth.
Stability
Hoka tecton x 10 persimmon orange women trail running outdoors 1123162-cbcrl
For a neutral shoe, the Mach 5 offers a wonderfully stable ride. There is a slight flare in its heel which we found especially handy when cornering.
Torsional rigidity
The Mach's high level of torsional flexibility helps us remember that this is a neutral shoe after all.
Twisting it in our manual test, we found that it comes on a very flexible side. On a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the most flexible, we rated it as 2.
So, if you are someone with flat feet or pronation concerns, it's better to skip the Mach 5 in favor of the Hoka Arahi 6.
Mach 5 | 2 |
Average | 3.2 |
zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE mujer minimalistas talla 39
At the back, a moderately stiff heel counter helps in keeping the heel in place. Giving it a squeeze, we rated its stiffness as 3 out of 5 in our subjective assessment (5 is the stiffest).
Even though it has a little give to it, the shoe's heel counter never lets our heels lift or slip out of the HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White.
The shoe's form-fittin
Mach 5 | 3 |
Average | 2.8 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
HOKA Speedgoat 5 Chaussures pour Femme en Blue Coral Taille 36 2 3.
Measuring the widest part of the forefoot, we got a fairly average result of 113 mm. However, the shoe's heel width left us truly impressed!
Mach 5 | 113.0 mm |
Average | 113.5 mm |
hoka mafate speed 3 chaussures de trail pour femmes en dazzling blueatlantis 1113531 dbat | hoka mafate speed 3 chaussures de trail pour femmes en dazzling blueatlantis 1113531 dbat
The heel landing area of the shoe's sole is significantly wider than the average. According to our caliper, the heel is 96.7 mm wide (6.6 mm wider than the average!).
Mach 5 | 96.7 mm |
Average | 90.3 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
In the era of hyper-cushioned, stiff, and aggressively rockered running shoes, the HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White felt like a nice break. It has a pretty flexible maximalist which contributes to the shoe's overall comfort. It bent in all the right places helping our foot feel free and maneuverable.
Measuring the forefoot flexibility in the lab, we found that it only Parfaits 20.3N to bend the HOKA Womens Ironman® Mach Shoes 4 in Black White. This makes the shoe 50% more flexible than the average road shoe!
Mach 5 | 20.3N |
Average | 29.4N |
Grip / Traction
From our experience, the Mach 5 has Carbon traction on dry pavement. But come rainy days and its exposed foam gets dangerously slippery.
Size and fit
Toebox width at the widest part
The shoe's midfoot kept us securely locked in and the toebox felt roomy enough for our medium-width feet.
Looking at the numbers, however, the forefoot part of the upper appears to be narrower than the average but still in the medium-width range. At its widest, the toebox is 95.4 mm wide (2.7 mm narrower than average).
zapatillas de running HOKA ONE ONE constitución ligera media maratón
Mach 5 | 95.4 mm |
Average | 98.3 mm |
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi Suede
The shoe's form-fitting upper is also complemented by the semi-gusseted tongue (attached to the sides). It held our feet securely all throughout the run.
Mach 5 | Both sides (semi) |
Comfort
Tongue padding
Putting the shoe on, we were in awe of its supremely comfortable upper. The shoe has light padding through the heel and collar, which never caused rubbing or hot spots. The padded tongue also acted like a light pillow that prevented lace pressure.
We measured the shoe's tongue at 4.3 mm, which is typical for a HOKA Challenger ATR 6 Chaussures pour Femme en Blue Graphite Blue Glass Taille 41 1 3. HOKA Arahi 6 Schuhe für Herren Größe 40 2 3.
Comfort Ténis Hoka One One Clifton 8 azul claro vermelho branco mulher
Mach 5 | 4.3 mm |
Average | 5.6 mm |
Misc
Reflective elements
Comfort Ténis Hoka One One Clifton 8 azul claro vermelho branco mulherpper perk of the Mach 5's upper is that it's reflective.